MURDER CHARGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 246, 31 July 1935, Page 3

MURDER CHARGE

POISONED CHOCOLATE CASE. FURTHER EVIDENCE FOR CROWN (Per Press Association). GREYMOUTH, July 30. In the Magistrate’s Court to-day, Mr H. Morgan, S.M., continued the hearing' of the case in which John Skikelthcrpe Page, a miner, aged 36, single, a native of England, is charged that on September 24, at Blackball, he did murder Margaret May Smith; also that on September 22, at Blackball, he attempted to murder Jean Kennedy dark and Ethel Annie Bragg. The case was a sequel to the Blackball chocolate poisoning. There was again a large attendance of the public. Inspector Donald Cameron is conducting the case for the prosecution, and Mr A. H. Paterson is appearing for the accused. Continuing her evidence after luncheon, Mrs Ethel McGregor, of Blackball, said that Misses Smith, Clark, and Bragg were friendly. She did not know any reason why a box of poisoned chocolates should be sent to Misses Clark and Bragg. She identified a letter sent to the Chief of Police, having been shown it previously by officers. She had no idea who wrote it, or why. As far as she knew the contents were untrue. She knew the accused by sight, and had .spoken to him once, when he asked for, and was given, roofing iron in her backyard. James Murdoch Clark, employed at Kidd’s butchery, Blackball, said that he was a cousin of Jean Clark. He knew that Misses Smith ? Clark ,and Bragig were friendly. On the morning of September 24 Miss Clark came to the front of the shop with a box of chocolates and offered him one. He ate two hard ones. Both of them seemed to be quite ordinary. While he was eating. the chocolates he was shown a note, which he identified as an exhibit at the Court. The note was not in his handwriting. He had not seen it belore. He had not sent any chocolates to Misses Clark and Bragg, and did not know who had done so. Miss Smith was asked by Miss Bragg to have a chocolate. She took more than one, but did not eat them while .she was on the footpath in front-of the shop. Witness had not been in possession of strychnine, nor had he seen it. He knew accused by sight. Hotelkeeper’s Illness.

George Dransfield, hotelkeeper, of Blackball, said that on September 24 ho went across to the butcliei s shop. Jean Clark asked him to have a chocolate out of a box. He took one and ate it. It did not affect him until half-aii-hour after, when he found lie could not sign his name to a cheque because his hand was shaking. tie could not move his jaw to eat lunch, but managed to drink some soup. Ihf chocolate tasted all light until the ast bit, when it was very bitter. He had not previously had a similar attack. Later in the mottling someone came over for brandy for Miss Smith and was given some out of an ordinal y bottle. Unable to Move Limbs.

Robert Francis Smith, brother of Miss Smith, a baker employed by Mr Dumpleton, of Blackball, said that his sister had been employed at Dumpleton’s for about four years before her death. On the morning of September 24 bis sister came to work at 8 o’clock in’her usual good health. At 10 a.m. he left the bakehouse for bis breakfast. When lie returned at 10.15 a.m. he found bis sister leaning over a dough machine clutching the mixing arm. He spoke, but she.did not answer. Witness tried to take her away, but she could not move her limbs, which were quite rigid. She had spasms of twitching. She said that it hurt too much to sit down. She asked for salt and water, and said that she had been given some chocolates at the butcher’s with cascara in them. Mrs Lowery gave her salt and water, but she did not vomit. She was taken to Dumpleton’s house. Witness did not again see her alive. Ho had novel used strychnine and had never seen any. Ho did not know of any ill-ieel-ing or jealousy towards his sister. There was no suggestion of her becoming engaged about that time. A s far as lie knew she never had a. suitor. Witness identified a wrapper and a note produced as exhibits, and said he had no idea who sent them. Assistance Given. Mrs Mabel Lowery, nee Dumpleton, said that slip had been living with her, parents at their shop on September 24. She recalled the death of Miss Smith. Witness produced salt and water for her, but it did not make her vomit. Miss Smith was also given brandy! by Dr.. Hutson. When she was lying on the chesterfield, Miss Smith appeared to be in great pain,. drawing her legs up. The glasses used for the brandy and salt and water were in regular use in the home. Witness had not known any strychnine being used about the house, and had never seen it. Mrs Doris Daphne Tunstall, of Blackball, said that she was friendly with Miss Smith. She knew accused, whom slio had first seen at Waiuta 10 or 12 years ago. She had seen him occasionally in Blackball, after the pictures going along the aerial track and also outside the baker’s shop. Constables’ Evidence. Constable O. H. Hendrickson, of Blackball, said that on September 24 lie had called at McGregor’s shop, and was given a box of chocolates. On examining them he found that some of them had been tampered with. A hole had been made in the bottom. He knew accused, having seen him about Blackball for six months before Miss Smith’s death. He did not remain about the district long after she died. Constable A. W. Honey, of Ahaura, saul that Mrs McGregor drew his attention to the holes in the bottom ot the chocolates. Miss Smith was a popular and highly-respected girl in tne district, and was net likely to have enemies. Miss Clark w t as well respected and popular in the district. Ho did not know Miss Bragg, but knew nothing against her character. The hearing was. adjourned until tomorrow morning. Thirty-nine witnesses have still to he heard for the Crown.